The Confident Speaker's Handbook: A Practical, Hands-On Approach to Public Speaking
Edition: 5
Copyright: 2017
Pages: 258. LSI page count does not change
Edition: 5
Copyright: 2017
Pages: 256
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The Confident Speaker’s Handbook is written for the students at Raritan Valley Community College in Central New Jersey, and most of the examples and sample speeches in the text are their work. And while students in any college public speaking class can certainly benefit from using this textbook, it is definitely written to fit the Speech program at RVCC, which in fact focuses on a practical, hands-on approach to public speaking.
The Confident Speaker’s Handbook by Thomas Valasek:
- incorporates in this book what the author has learned from teaching Speech classes at RVCC for more than 40 years, as well as what he’s learned from collaborating with many dynamic, innovative colleagues.
- is helpful and accessible, especially the chapters on managing anxiety about public speaking, building basic presentation skills, and developing effective introductions and conclusions.
- includes fine-tuned and revised chapters to expand more extensively on developing informative and persuasive presentations.
Introduction Public Speaking:
A Life Skill and a Skill for Life
1 Managing Anxiety about Public Speaking
Establishing Realistic Expectations
Strategies for Managing Communication Anxiety
Strategies for Managing Anxiety for More Confident Presentations
Conclusion
Tips at a Glance for Managing Anxiety about Public Speaking
2 Finding Your Public Voice
Find Something Meaningful to Say
Make Your Presentation a Gift to the Audience
Build on What You Already Possess
Tell a Story
Meet Your Audience Where They Are . . . Take Them Somewhere
They Don’t Expect to Go
Try on Other Public Voices for Size
Conclusion
Tips at a Glance for Finding Your Public Voice
3 Getting Started
Selecting a Topic
Narrowing the Topic
Stating the Purpose
Researching the Topic
Developing and Organizing the Speech
Analyzing the Audience
Conclusion
Tips at a Glance for Getting Started
4 Developing Introductions and Conclusions
Guidelines for Effective Introductions
Tips for Delivering the Introduction
Guidelines for Effective Conclusions
Tips for Delivering the Conclusion
Conclusion
5 Building Basic Presentation Skills
Looking Good
Using Notes Effectively
Sounding Good
Connecting with the Audience
Conclusion
Tips at a Glance for Improving Basic Presentation Skills
6 Preparing and Using Visual Aids
Why Use Visual Aids?
Types of Visual Aids
How to Use Visual Aids Effectively
How to Present with Visual Aids
Conclusion
Tips at a Glance for Preparing and Using Visual Aids
7 Rehearsing a Speech
Why Rehearse?
Strategies for Rehearsing Effectively
Conclusion
Tips at a Glance for Rehearsing a Speech
8 Developing Listening and Critiquing Skills
Critical Listening
Improving Critical Listening Skills
Offering Constructive Criticism
Critiquing Your Own Presentation
Conclusion
Tips at a Glance for Developing Listening and Critiquing Skills
9 Developing Speeches that Present Information
Developing an Effective Informative Speech
Critiquing an Informative Speech
Model Student Informative Speech: The University Center
at RVCC: “Your Bachelor’s Degree Right down the Road”
Conclusion
Tips at a Glance for Developing Speeches that Present
Information
10 Handling a Question-and-Answer Session
Strategies for Handling Q&A
Anticipating Problem Questions
Wrapping up Q&A
Conclusion
Tips at a Glance for Handling a Question-and-Answer
Sessions
11 Developing Speeches that Persuade
Developing an Effective Persuasive Speech
Model Student Persuasive Speech: “Veal: The Cruel Meal”
Fundamental Elements of Persuasion
Planning and Organizing a Persuasive Speech
Applying Logical Persuasive Techniques
Evaluating and Presenting Evidence
Applying Emotional and Psychological Persuasive Techniques
Problem/Solution Speeches
Conclusion
Tips at a Glance for Developing Speeches that Persuade
12 Preparing and Delivering Team Presentations
Planning a Team Presentation
Preparing a Team Presentation
Rehearsing the Presentation
Delivering the Presentation
Conclusion
Tips for Planning and Delivering Team Presentations
13 Taking Presentation Skills to a Higher Level
Impromptu Speeches
Speeches of Introduction
Commemorative Speeches
Speeches for Special Occasions
Public Speaking Skills for the Future
Conclusion
Appendix A Sample Student PowerPoint Presentation
Appendix B Sample Student Speeches
“Cut It and Leave It”
“Special Olympics: Creating Special Smiles”
“Helmets and Winter Sports”
“Driving and Cell Phones: A Bad Combination”
“Athletes as Role Models”